Tips to keep your dog safe during the Fourth of July

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Chris Outcalt
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During the summer, when Coloradans are often outside with their pets, Colorado State University’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital is a busy place. For example, there are more trauma cases — animals suffering from bite wounds and vehicle injuries.

Fourth of July weekend can be a particularly dangerous time.

Fireworks displays and backyard barbecues both present challenges for pets, especially dogs. Dr. Amanda Cavanagh, an assistant professor of small animal emergency and critical care and head of Emergency and Urgent Care at CSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital, shares her top concerns — and tips for avoiding problems during the holiday.

Pet owners can also call CSU’s Veterinary Teaching Hospital 24/7 triage phone line at 970-297-5000 with any pet-related medical or safety questions.

Fireworks

Dogs escaping

Fireworks can scare dogs — and a dog left alone in the yard can get anxious, jump a fence and risk being hit by a car, Cavanagh said.

“The Fourth of July is a big night when we have people finding stray dogs wandering around town — their owners might be out celebrating and not know their dogs are gone,” Cavanagh said. “Once the dogs — or cats — are out at night, they can get hit by cars.”

If you are leaving the house for the evening, do not leave your dog outside, the veterinarian advised. Drivers are also advised to keep an extra eye out for animals on the road on the Fourth, she noted.

Leaving dogs at home

Do not take dogs to large fireworks gatherings, Cavanagh said. “For most dogs, being around a very large crowd is stressful,” she said. Stressed dogs are more likely to bite, get diarrhea or develop a noise sensitivity that can stick with them.

Dogs are safest at home on the Fourth, she said. But because it can still be loud inside, anxiety may still be an issue. Some pet owners may want to talk to their veterinarians ahead of time about medication to ease their dogs’ anxiety that night. “There is really effective oral medication that they can take before the fireworks that would just allow them to be nice and calm,” Cavanagh said.

Owners remaining calm

If a dog is getting visibly scared or stressed during a fireworks display, one other thing to keep in mind, Cavanagh said, is that it doesn’t help if owners also start to get anxious. “Positively reinforcing that fear can make it worse,” she said. “Just being calm and not being affected by the fireworks yourself can be helpful.”

Barbecues

Grilling

Outdoor parties are popular during the July Fourth holiday; these celebrations can cause problems for dogs, particularly if there is a lot of food cooking on hot grills. Items such as hot dogs can upset dogs’ stomachs, Cavanagh said. Dogs can also grab items that are hot and burn their mouths. “It’s important to watch dogs around barbecue grills, campfires and firepits,” Cavanagh said. “Some are going full tilt and won’t realize what’s hot and what’s not.”

Meat on skewers can also be a problem, she said. Dogs can eat everything, including the skewer, which can then require an emergency room visit for surgical removal.

Unfamiliar dogs

Cavanagh also cautions dog owners to be careful about bringing their dogs to large outdoor gatherings where there might be other dogs they’ve not met before. “Those social dynamics can create stressful situations, and dogs can act aggressively and might not get along with other dogs,” she said. “Even if the dog does well at the dog park, it might not do well in a barbecue setting.”